2021 Lexus UX 250h
| MSRP | $39,165 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $39,109 |
2021 Lexus UX 250h Review
- High fuel economy
- Lots of standard and optional safety tech
- Maneuverable around town thanks to small dimensions
- Infotainment interface can be difficult to use
- Tepid acceleration
- Limited rear legroom
- Cargo area has a high liftover height
- Redesigned cargo area adds more capacity
- New Black Line Special Edition package limited to 1,000 units
- Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are now standard
- Part of the first UX generation introduced for 2019
At first glance, the 2021 Lexus UX 250h has a lot going for it: an attractive base price, lots of standard features, and expressive styling for an extra-small crossover SUV. The interior is quite a looker, too, as it shares a common design language with pricier Lexus models. Rounding out the list of strengths is its hybrid powertrain, which gives the UX 250h excellent fuel economy — 42 mpg in combined city/highway driving, according to the EPA.
Few other luxury automakers bother offering a hybrid powertrain in their little SUVs. You won't find one in the BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz GLA, for instance. But not everything is great in Lexus town; the lethargic acceleration and cumbersome infotainment interface make us frown. How much do these drawbacks sour the overall experience? Learn more by reading our in-depth Expert Rating on the 2021 UX 250h.
Our verdict | |
The Lexus UX 250h is a stylish and fuel-efficient SUV. A distinctive interior design helps set it apart. But it's very slow, and traces of its Toyota Corolla roots come through in the on-road experience, making the high price tag hard to swallow. | |
How does the UX 250h drive? | |
The UX 250h is smooth around town, but it's also very slow, especially for a luxury vehicle. In our testing, accelerating to 60 mph took a leisurely 10 seconds. The vehicle's steering is nicely weighted, and the UX has some of the fun responsiveness found in the Toyota Corolla (to which it's related), but the added height and weight make for pronounced body roll through corners. Overall, the hybrid UX is most comfortable with city driving, where the engine can stay in its acceptably torquey midrange, and there's no call for real handling prowess. Unfortunately, the brakes aren't easy to control to get the amount of stopping power you want and can feel jerky at low speeds. | |
How comfortable is the UX 250h? | |
The UX 250h is a comfortable vehicle, but it doesn't quite offer what we'd expect for the money. The seats are a strong point, with soft leather and padding that proves supportive even on longer drives. Although there's little wind noise and no engine noise while cruising, the engine kicks up an unpleasant racket when you ask for power. You're also exposed to traffic noise and intrusive pinging from the tires over rough pavement. The suspension smooths out bumps, but the run-flat tires make for a busier ride than we'd like. With some controls hidden in infotainment menus, the climate control system is best left in its capable auto mode. Some vents are unfortunately close to the driver's hands and can be loud even at partial power. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The UX's cabin is surprisingly spacious, but it's not the easiest to live with. Both front and rear passengers have lots of room, with space in the back for full-size adults. However, the seating position works better for people who like to sit low in the vehicle. It's not so great if you prefer sitting upright in your SUV. There's limited steering-wheel telescoping, although the front seats offer good height adjustability. That's necessary since at their lowest setting the front seats can be tough for people with limited mobility to get in and out of. The control layout takes a while to get used to and is less intuitive overall than some rival setups. Also thick roof pillars, particularly around the rear hatch, limit overall visibility. | |
How’s the tech? | |
Lexus' trackpad-based infotainment system is one of the more distracting interfaces to navigate within the luxury space. Voice controls are functional but a bit limited, and they require quite a few guided steps to complete certain commands. There are plenty of charging options around the cabin, including two USB ports for rear passengers, but you only get Apple CarPlay and not Android Auto. On the plus side, the sound system is what we'd expect from a Lexus, offering a lot of quality at any volume. Basic active safety features are standard, which is still a bit uncommon for a luxury vehicle. But the driver aids are overcautious, with overly long following distances and sharp stops in traffic. Definitely not a premium experience. | |
How’s the fuel economy? | |
The UX 250h's 42 mpg combined rating is quite impressive for a subcompact luxury SUV. Based on our real-world testing, that EPA estimate is realistic. The vehicle's tuning makes it straightforward to drive efficiently without feeling like the car is lagging or punishing you when you ask for power. | |
Is the UX 250h a good value? | |
The UX comes with a nicely designed and constructed interior with a lot of soft-touch materials. Every surface seems to have some sort of texturing, which adds depth and visual interest to the cabin. Lexus' warranty is typically better than average. If you value fuel economy and a reputation for reliability, the UX 250h has you covered. But if you're looking for luxury value-for-money, you'll likely be disappointed. Our test vehicle totaled more than $40,000, right about where the base midsize RX 350 starts. You can opt for a cheaper version with fewer tech and material upgrades, but that starts to get dangerously close to a well-equipped RAV4 Hybrid. | |
Wildcard | |
The UX 250h has more personality than the regular UX 200. The design and execution help set it apart from just about every competitor. But that doesn't make it fun. The hybrid UX lacks the gas model's zippiness and adds weight. While the chassis the vehicle shares with the Corolla is predictable and capable of having fun, it's stifled under all the Lexusness and hybridization and needs to really be coaxed out. | |
Which UX 250h does Edmunds recommend?
Lexus UX 250h models
The 2021 Lexus UX 250h is a subcompact SUV sold in three trim levels: base, F Sport and Luxury. All use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system to provide a total of 181 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard, as is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Lexus also sells the non-hybrid UX 200, which is reviewed separately.
2021 Lexus UX 250h pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $35,200
- MPG & Fuel
- 41 City / 38 Hwy / 39 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 10.6 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: all wheel drive
- Transmission: Continuously variable-speed automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 181 hp @ 6000 rpm
- Torque: N/A
- Basic Warranty
- 4 yr./ 50000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 177.0 in. / Height: 60.6 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: N/A
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 72.4 in.
- Curb Weight: 3605 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 17.1 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite UX 250h safety features:
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
- Monitors lane markings, warns you if you are drifting, and can even help steer the vehicle back into the lane of travel.
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Helps drivers maintain a preset distance by adjusting the vehicle's speed in relation to the vehicle directly ahead.
- Intelligent High Beams
- Switches between high and low beams automatically by using cues from a camera that helps detect when other vehicles are present.
Lexus UX 250h vs. the competition
2021 Lexus UX 250h
2020 Mini Countryman
Lexus UX 250h vs. Mini Countryman
The Mini Countryman SE is a plug-in hybrid version of Mini's largest vehicle. It can travel up to 18 miles in electric-only mode before it switches over to its turbocharged three-cylinder engine. The Mini is quicker and more fun to throw around a corner than the UX 250h, but its fuel economy isn't as good as the UX 250h's after its hybrid battery runs out of power.
Lexus UX 250h vs. Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is not available as a hybrid, and it costs a little more than the UX 250h. But the GLA has so many outstanding attributes that we think it's the better choice of the two. Unlike some others in this class, the GLA successfully brings Mercedes' strengths to an affordable, easy-to-maneuver package.
Lexus UX 250h vs. BMW X1
As with the GLA, the BMW X1 is not available as a hybrid and costs more than the UX 250h. This is yet another case of getting what you pay for since the X1 is a pleasantly well-rounded machine. Just take it easy on the options list. Even in this wallet-friendly class, the X1 can be expensive once you start adding primo features.
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FAQ
Is the Lexus UX 250h a good car?
What's new in the 2021 Lexus UX 250h?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Lexus UX 250h:
- Redesigned cargo area adds more capacity
- New Black Line Special Edition package limited to 1,000 units
- Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are now standard
- Part of the first UX generation introduced for 2019
Is the Lexus UX 250h reliable?
Is the 2021 Lexus UX 250h a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2021 Lexus UX 250h?
The least-expensive 2021 Lexus UX 250h is the 2021 Lexus UX 250h 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $35,200.
Other versions include:
- 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $35,200
- Luxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $39,900
- F SPORT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $37,200